The 9th Annual SALSA Youth Voices Action Day, led by Prevention Education and Research Unit (PERU), WSLHD didn’t just spotlight young people’s ideas — it showed what happens when those ideas are backed with real opportunities to act.
he result was a showcase of some of the brightest, most committed and collaborative SALSA Peer Leaders yet.
Students As LifeStyle Activists (SALSA) is a peer-led leadership program designed to motivate students to increase physical activity and improve diet.
Year 10 students are trained in a one-day workshop by SALSA Educators (university students) to become SALSA Peer Leaders, and then they deliver fun, interactive lessons to younger peers.
The SALSA model proves that real youth voice comes to life when young people are leading, not just being heard.
As two Model Farms High School students explained, “The SALSA program has been at Model Farms for many years and has allowed Year 10 SALSA leaders to connect with Year 7 students, guiding them to take initiative on their lifestyle choices.”
They added that “SALSA has been an experience that we and our fellow leaders have grown from. The program taught us responsibility and confidence.”
Schools who complete the SALSA program are invited to participate in SALSA Youth Voices, where students transform their ideas into action.
It begins with a Leadership Day at the GWS Giants training facility, where students design creative, practical ways to get their peers more active.
With strong support from teachers, these ideas evolve into real initiatives that students bring back to their school communities.
Following this is Action Day, where peer leaders showcase their initiatives to a range of health and education professionals for their feedback and support.
“Today, we are here to celebrate the leadership, creativity, and collective action of young people in Western Sydney who have chosen to actively influence the health and wellbeing of their communities. Your voices matter and your contributions are making a real difference.” Prof. Smita Shah OAM said.
Students from four Western Sydney high schools shared their school action plans with a contagious enthusiasm and passion that captivated the audience.
One group led a high-energy volleyball competition that brought their whole school together through friendly, active fun, while another created their own Pacific Cup—drawing inspiration from major rugby competitions and celebrating culture as a powerful motivator for physical activity.
A third group launched an adventurous scavenger hunt blending movement and problem-solving to inspire more girls to get active, and another is gearing up for a “Get Fit Friday,” a whole-school celebration packed with energy, equipment and encouragement for students and staff alike.
The momentum behind these student-led initiatives was strengthened by strong community backing, with the event attended by key leaders across health, education and local government, including representatives from the Blacktown and Hills Doctors Association, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, WSLHD executives and board members, Parramatta Council, Multicultural Health and the GWS Giants.
Their presence underscored the vital role of professional guidance in amplifying youth-driven ideas, with Kym Rizzo Liu, Project Manager, noting, “When young people are supported by experienced health and community professionals, their ideas don’t just grow—they gain the power to create real, lasting change.”
Youth voice was authentically embedded throughout SALSA Youth Voices Action Day, from student presentations to a student co-MC, personal reflections from peer leaders, and a meaningful student-led Acknowledgement of Country.
This wasn’t an event about young people — it was an event powered by them.earn more about the SALSA program visit the SALSA Youth Voices website.